Gary Richrath of REO Speedwagon Dies

@FourWalls (86812)
United States
September 14, 2015 7:51am CST
My second rock concert was "Summer Jam II" in 1978. It featured Foreigner, Steve Miller, REO Speedwagon, and Thin Lizzy. Gary Richrath, co-founder and original guitarist of REO Speedwagon, died yesterday (September 13) at the age of 65. I feel he was rather young, and yet again, that makes me feel kinda old! He's the third person I saw that day who has passed away (the other two being Phil Lynott and Gary Moore of Thin Lizzy). I never cared for those "ballads" REO did in the 80's, preferring them more as a rock band. That's why Richrath left the band: he wanted to rock. He had a problem with alcohol for years, but no cause of death has yet been released. EDIT: I realized he's the fifth person on that "Summer Jam 2" stage to die. Two members of Steve Miller's band, harmonica player Norton Buffalo and bassist Lonnie Turner, also passed away in recent years.
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